News

The Assembly of First Nations will elect a new National Chief on July 25th.

Chiefs from the over 600 First Nations represented by the Assembly will cast their vote for one of five candidates from across the country. The candidates include current National Chief Perry Bellegarde of Saskatchewan, Russ Diabo of Quebec, Miles Richardson of British Columbia, Sheila North from Manitoba and Katherine Whitecloud, also from Manitoba.

Long Plain First Nation Councillor Liz Merrick is voting in proxy for Long Plain Chief Dennis Meeches. Merrick didn't say who she was voting for.

"We want to support a candidate who is for our education and language and culture, which is part of the Truth and Reconciliation that the government is undertaking right now. They should be pursuing that for all of us because it's important for all First Nations across the country," says Merrick. "We want this candidate to be knowledgeable and speak for us at the national level."

She adds something else they'd like to see in a candidate is someone who is available to meet with the First Nations communities that they represent.

Merrick notes choosing a candidate to support will likely be a difficult choice as they all have a wide range of abilities and experience.

Verse of the Day

“And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him, to give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins, because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven”